Dampening device for lithographic offset presses and the like



Aug. 7, 1934. y J SCHULTZ 1,969,154

DAMPENING DEVICE FOR LITHOGRAPHIC OFFSET PRESSES AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 26,'1950 8 sheets-sheet' l f @$447745 3 9 *E6 2,2 4Z m11! j@ /9 Aug. 7, 1934. 1, SCHULTZ 1,969,154

DAMPENING DEVICE FOR LITHOGRAPHIC OFFSET PRESSES AND THE LIKE 2.9 l" IUI' a l I Aug.v 7, 1934. SCHUL-rz 1,969,154

DAMPENING DEVCE FOR LITHOGRAPHIC OFFSET PRESSES AND THE LIKE /NVE/vroe:

Aug' 7, 1934 J. scHUL'rz I v1,969,154

DAMPENING DEVICE FOR LITHOGRAPHIC OFFSET PRESSES AND THE LIKE Filed De. 26, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 I 'I s III I I Il.' I. II IIIIII e III. :II QS Q a I n i* @D .g Nn

Q QQ

'N A .n

Q0 1;? I I; g V il :s E1' S I I I I I I I I I IIII II I III I u II I o J. SCHULTZ Aug. 7, 1934.

DAMPENING DEVICE FOR LITHOGRAPHIC OFFSET PRESSESVAND THE LIKE Filed Deo. 26, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet .5.

v MW Aug. .7, 1934. J. SCHUL-rz 1,959,154

DAMPENING DEVICE FOR LITHOGRAPHIC OFFSET PRESSES AND THE LIKE lFiled nec. 2s. 1930 s sheets-smelt 6 J. SCHUL-r2 Aug. 7, 1934.

DAMPENING DEVICE FOR LITHOGRAPHIC OFFSET vPRESSES AND THE LIKE 1950 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Dec. 26

/Nvf/vrae:

g. 7, 1934. 1 SCHULTZ A 1,969,154

DAMPENING DEVICE FOR LITHOGRAPHIC OFFSET PRESSES AND THE LIKE Filled Deo. 26, 1930 e shams-sheet 8 for lithographie oifset presses or theli'ke, ledv l f roller c`overing,`'partial inkior 'grease coating onVV the covering, etc. It should be interpolatedthat.y

Patented Aug. 7, 1934 y' UNITED STA i;glgggl I l y. l *i Si OFFICE' DAMPENING DEVICE Fon LITHOGRAPHIC I oFFsar rREssEsANp'ITHELIKE.. 1

J oseph (.Schulta, Cleveland,. Ohio i I Applicatinnccemberge, 1930, seria; Nb. '504,735 f 1 v 36 claims. (Crm1- 148) My invention relates to dampening devices, and more particularly to mechanisms of this class suitable for supplying moisture'to lithographic,

printing and other reproducing and typographical apparatus. Y this invention disclosed in the present `application illustrates this invention applied toA a lithographic offset press.

rial No. 507,096, entitled Dampening mechanisms January 7, 1931. l i i v,

Certain7 developments 'of the subject matter disclosed in this application are shown inA detail and are claimed in Patent No. 1,958,593,.issued to me May 15, 1934.

Asisvvellknown, 1n the art of lithography,l and .especially in offset lithography,- a :certain amount of moisture is requiredjto maintain the: printing plate adequately dampened to produce;

satisfactory results. It is also well-,known that a certain minimum amount of moisturevfrnust-be5- continuously supplied to this plate to prevent it from becoming coated With ink and irreparably damaged. It is further a fact, that diiferentportions or zones of the plate require various amounts of moisture, these diierent requirements arising from differences in the size and design of the i entire absence of 2 printing areas on the plate. It is also essential;

printing areas, or from the to point out that, when the borders .of gthehareas which require additional moisture andffthosejy which do not, are clearly marked,l a -substantialV excess or insumciency of moisture oneitherv: side of the border of the areas WillV produce imperfectwork. It is also well y-lrnovvnr that4 any excess of,

moisture supplied to any areas above that re-l Y printed sheet. A decient amountr o f moisture quired, will be damagingfand further that-the required.

The particular embodiment of yThe type of dampening apparatus-Which has' been foundsatisfactory by long period of vuse and which has been approvedand almost i universally i.,

. adopted for lithographie oifset presses comprises l areservoir of water or suitable liquid in whichf; a Water roller is partially immersed. `ifidapted.for; .r

the water roller to aninterrnediate' roller,v Water with" aMSlOO'ge "foc'ffilqaiiipllnghl101161? intermediate roller transfers the liquid to a plurality of dampeningrollerswhich in turn -dis. tribute the liquid vto theplate 'on'the plate-cylinder`,'by Contact.' This usual and well known distributing device isintended to'supply a uniform amount:V of i vmoisture over f the. entire maximum unequ'al'liquid transfer'. may result from slight variations;orfzirregularities in the ldiameter of` any of 'the-rollers, vunequal 'adjustment of the two ends' of adjacent rollers; spring or deflection ofi-,the center `of any roller' underpressure, variatiori linffthef Vvvaterabsorbing capacity of the with-'this generallyused apparatus-insonne cases when it is' desired to reducethe amount of vmoisture-transferre'dby the center Yof the rollers, it has'beeii necessary-to press the endsof the rollers so tightly together vtlhatthe rollers Abecome 'dry andcollect ink Vfrom the'plate'fespecially in the vIt'fshoul'd be rnotedfthaa even if'the present' dampening` apparatus* didndistribute the liquid uniformlmfthisf wouldl'stilljnot be the desired condition fon-:many casesin modern high speed printinglf- 'It iswell `known that those portions,Y ofthe plate which" take the heaviest amount of ink will also need a heavier amount of dampen-- ingfliqiiid than the portionstakinfg a relatively lesser 'amountfoff ink,'or*no ink at all. Y' Whenf thefliquid 'is' supplied'in auniformly distributed manner'to suclr'a plate'f-With the usual appa--V ratus abovereferredmtmthe heavily inked portions 4Will eitherxnot -receivesuflicient moisture orthe lightly inkedportions will receivean over supply' of mioisti'ire.` ;An oversupplyof moisture, to any portion of the plate results lin 'anuneven'A color and alackof uniformity of -color on the on" any portion offtl'i'elj platewill lcause a lling in witlr'ink,Y or, whatisjknoivn rin rthis art 'as ".With'the preset-ft dampening apparatus it is necessary f 'or the 'pressman' to continuously watch his plat,e. ,Inorder to .correctfthe weak spots Whichjar'e deficient in" moisture, the vpressrnan supplies' more moisture l I the platev than: isr,`,re'quired, A and 'thus overcharges to ,thef'entire width. of i ce'rtaifotherQportions. If hedoes not do this,A

it will be necessary "for, him 'tof manually add veloped and successfully applied the apparatusv to be hereinafter described.

The general object of my invention isy to pro vide a device for supplying moisture tok litho-` graphic offset presses or similar printingapparatus, which may be" adjusted tasatisfactorily supply moisture to al1 portions of the plate used on the press and in proportion to the requirements of each particular portion of the plate.

A further object of this invention is to provide apparatus fof -this type vwhich can 'be dependedV upon to Vmaintainrthe same rate offeed o1v water after having oncebeenadjusted to suit the requirements of the plate in the press, and which further makes it .unnecessaryfor the operator to continuously watch the moisture condition of they plate. f

Y A further object of this invention is to provide vmeans whereby ai controllable quantity of moisture maybe supplied directly toV one por-v tion or zone ofthe plate without aiecting the moisture condition of the laterally adjacent por-.

tion or zone of the plate.V Y '1 f .f

A further object of this invention is to pro-` videapparatus which comprises elements adapt-v ed to supply a uniformly distributed minimum amount of moisture to the plate throughout its entire width togetherwithmeans adapted to;

vary this uniformly distributedamount of moisture, and additional elements adapted to add variable amounts of moisture in accordance with the requirements of the surface of the printing plate. A: further object of this ,invention is to providev apparatus of thistype which will permit .of

quick and dependable 'resillation;0.1i` the amount of supplemental water-fedro any point 0r Zone of the ydampening device.

A, further object of this invention to provide a plurality of'liquid feeding elements which will feed very-small amountsof liquid and which will permit a close regulationlof variations inthe feeding of these small quantities of liquids.

further object of this invention is to apply j the principle of capillarity for .feeding liquid t9 the dampening apparatusin such-a manner to.

accomplish the aforementioned objects.

A l'further object ofthis invention is the pro.-

vision of a device involving the principle of cape.

-illarity in which.. theflowY of liquidthrough anyl one element'of the group of elements canbe in A furtherobject ofV this inventioniis to so arrange vthesupplemental feedingwmeansthat any oneof the Aindividual liquid supplying devices may quickly be replaced individually Without dise turbing anyof the adjacent supplemental-liquid supplying devices.

A'further object of this invention, ancillary to.

the foregoing is to provide means for keeping the dampening rollers and apparatus'freeandl clean from ink,.thus eliminating the`need fortrequent cleaning of. these r wear andexpense.

Afurther ancillaryV object offthis invention.isj to .prevent wear and tear onthedampening rollers due to excessivepressureon these rollers, thus reducing the maintenance cost on vthese parts as well as eliminatingfthe expensejand delayincir :dntal 150.1118 repair replacement' v aind. renewal of? "these dampening rollers. f Y

l to speed up production of a satisfactory product llers and concomitant Y sectional view taken from f line 1'0, 10 in'Figure 9. y

j indicatedl by line '117, 11 in! Figure A10.

A further ancillary object of this invention is to insure longer life for the plate of the press due to the provision of the proper amount offmoisture-for levery portion ofthe plate-which eliminates theI deleterious results from iilling in with ink on the one hand due to an insufciency of liquid and the overcharging of acid water on the other hand with an excess of liquid.

vA further ancillary object of this inventionV is from the press. Al further ancillary object of this invention is to prevent the accumulation of excess acid water on 'the ends of the ink rollers and the consequent etching of these ink rollers so that they will not take ink, thus avoiding the necessity o f-counter etching these rollers again so that they will 'take ink.. l A further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus of this type which can be applied to presses now in use as well as to new presses;

' and which can be quickly and easily attached to' such presses.

Further objects-and advantages of thisinvention will appear from the following description 190 and from reference to the accompanying draw-f ings. These annexed drawings and description`l set forth in detail certain means embodyingthis invention, such disclosed means constituting however, but a few of the forms in which the principle of this invention may be applied.Y In said annexed drawings: Figure lY is *a-yiew; mainly in side elevation, showing vmy improved" apparatus applied to a standard type VofI lithographic oiset press, a portion only of the press being illustrated, andl certain parts being shown in section to more clearly disclose my invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged partial perspective view showing my invention'as applied toa dampening`- apparatus of the usual 'typeon `z a. sta1 idard litho graphic press, such as illustratedin'Figure *1.v i Figure 3-is a vfragmentary front elevational view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 thisview being taken from the plane indicated'by line 3,3 inligurel. Y"

Figure 4 is' an enlarged fragmentary sectionalA` view taken'in the plane indicated byv `line'f'fl, 4j Figure-7, and showing-the details of a'devi'ce for regulatingthe water level in a certain reservoir.v

Figure 5A is a plan View of the parts shown in @as Figures 1 and 3.1 1"* Figure 6571s a fragmentary rear elevational view".k ofthe parts-shown ineFigure 1, this View being taken from the plane indicated by line 6, y6 in' Figure 1; vi' Figure 7 is an' enlarged cross-sectional View takenin the plane indicated by lines 7, 7 in'Fig` ures 3; 5 and 12 showing my invention applied" to a dampening apparatus of a 'usual type: and* showing certain parts of my invention'in tl'ieirVV ity.

- Figure 8 is a'view similar to a portionof Figure-E '7 showing thesecertain parts in a'positionfof'lss iiquid' transferring capacity than that shcw'n vinf Figure 7.. v l Figure 9 is vanother View similar 'to'a'porton of Figure 7 but-showing the parts in which theyvkv do not transfer any liqwuid.l A Figure 10 isY anfenlar'ged fragmentary plan the plane indicated by@ Figure 11 i'S-aneriiarge'd viewofza prti'on .bf- Figure 7, this view being takenffrom th'e plane.

, Figure 15 is likewise a perspective view of the.

element illustrated in Figure 14, viewed from a different angle.

, Figure 16 is a detached perspective view of one of thecomposite liquid transfer or wick elements, showing also the spring which is attached to this wick element and which operatively connects the wick element with the part illustrated in Figures 14 and 15. f

Figure 17 is an elevational View of theparts illustrated in Figure 16, these parts being shown inra flat position.

Figure'l is a longitudinal sectional viewr .taken through the lower portion of the composite liquid transferring element illustrated in Figure 16.

Figure 19 is a detached perspective View similar to Figure 16, of a modified form of liquid transfer or wick element.

Figure 20 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to a portion of the part shown in Figure 15 modified for co-operation with the elementl shownin Figure 19.

Figure 21 is a cross sectional View of a modified form of this invention embodying its broad features, this View being similar to Figure 10 in my Patent No. 1,812,720, referred toA hereinbefore.l

Figure 22 is a perspective View of one of the elements shown in Figure 21, and corresponds with Figure l1 in my Patent No. 1,812,720.

,The liquid used for dampening the plate of a lithographie offset press is usuallyveither water or a relatively dilute solution of acid in water, or a dilute solution of gum arabic or other materials or combinations of materials in water, depending upon the requirements. Inthe following speciiications the term water, moisture and liquid are used interchangeably and itis understood, that these terms are to include such liquids as are referred to above, or any liquids which may be used with this apparatus for thel purpose set forth.

' In the drawings only somuch of a lithographie a l offset printing press is illustrated asb'ears direct relation to this invention, vand to its location on The4 the press and operation withV the press. drawings illustrate one form of this invention in several assembled views on the press and also in detail, and the drawings further illustrateseveral'I modified forms of this invention in detail, in or-` derto show the breadth andsoope of this ,inf vention.

' I shall rslt describe the form of the invention' f-Jwhich is illustrated in Figures 1 to 18 inclusive.

MIn these figures, and with particular reference to I.1., in the usual` manner.

Figures 1, 3, 5 and 6, 1 indicates the frame of the press, upon which are mounted, in well known manner, a paper or printing cylinder 2, blanket cylinder 3, and plate carrying cylinder 1. These er driven gearing, not shown. The printing plate,

8 is mounted on the plate carrying ycylinder 4,

Inkingrollers 9 are suit" ably mounted for peripheralcontact :with the printing plate 8 as clearly shown in Figures 1,15. and 6. The balance of the inkingmechanism including ink fountain, ink distributing rollers and controlling mechanism are not shown, as these devices are well known to those skilled in this art and have no special bearing .on-this invention.. i x

4Referring ,now to Figures 1, 12 yand, 7, a-usual type of'dampening'device, such as has vgenerally been iadopted 'for use on lithographieV offset:v presses,.and vas shown in the drawings, will now; be described.' Two dampening= rollers, 10, 10,-*are mounted on theframeof the press forzperipheral contact with the plate 8. These dampeningroll-r. ers 10 are usually covered with molleton, and are preferably so mounted that they contact one or more of the intermediate. or` distributing rollers ll, Vfrequentlymounted, forv axial reciprocation; one such roller; A11 being shown inthe drawings.` Adjacent to -this distributing roller. or -rol1ers.1l,' is mounted a ductor roller 12, preferably covered with molleton, which is oscillatorilyA mountedl to intermittently andV alternately contact 1the.,dis-F tributing roller 1l and a'water. roller 13.l ,This

water roller 13 is mounted on a shaft 14'located lll() speed. The covering 13', when used, usually con.-l

sists of a single layer Vof-'unbleach muslin, but any-other suitable material or thickness of maf.A terial may be used. The'rol1er'13.mayrrotate either continuously or intermittentlyr. When it rotates intermittently its rotation .is'usually'simultaneous with its contact with the ductor-roller1 and the amount of its rotation can be regulated.'

The Aapparatus th' s fardescribedjisquite well. standardized on alllithcgraphic. offset presses.` and rits method of mounting. and vmethodvo'f driving, ywhilewarying-'in some features,.i's well' una transfers this liquid to the roller .11 lwhich dis.,

tributes the moisture to the dampening rollers'.` 10,.whence` it is applied to the-plate It will be apparent that the intention of thisjdevicefis to transfer aA uniformlydistributed amounti of 'i moisturev to the plate and across the ientire face,` thereof.vv vMeans are also provided for regulate; ing the intensity of thel pressure exerted by the;` ductor roller on its two adjacent rollers'andlfor aligning this ductor .roller therewith .,and'forf aligning and regulating the pressure exerted by;- the other rollers upon each other.V It willbe:

evidentthat this method of liquidA transfer is dependent upon the perfection of the several-f,

rollers and the accuracy of their alignment, and` is, affected by the lack of roundness, Auni-form dif-gA ameter, f uniform absorbing powerand by anyV spring or elasticity of therollers between-their,

performance, will now be described; Referring' particularlyito Figures 1, 3,'5land 7 it will be noted rthat .I have. providedv a pairfof brackets-.19 which are Vremovably mounted on members forming. a? The. bottomof .these part of theistandard.v press. bracketsare, .removably seated-on the. tie rod 18 and thev intermediate. portion of the brackets are attached to thepan'supporting rod. 17Y by vmeans of a-bracket cap '20. detachably secured to thehbracket 19 -by means of -screws 2l. AAs,

clearly shown in .Figures 1 and 7, the upper por-V 'tion of the bracket is formed .with avertically disposed guide .portion 22, which is vpreferably located vertically over. .the .standard reservoiry or pan y15. n Referring; it will be noted that I. support a.relatively narrow. and deep. .trough 23 upon. the bottorn 'of the :standard reservoir or .water pan A.15, 'this trough beingzsubstantially the same length as the: water roller 13. lThis. trough is formed Awith a. .front wall 24, a rear wall .25, a right wall-26, a left `wall 27 (asrviewed'in Figures 3 and 5), and a preferably curved bottom 28. Mounted upon thefront wall .24 are a pair of pockets 29.

Thebpenings intheseA pockets are of a suitable size and are properly located lto slidably fit overk thevertical guide portions 22 on the brackets 19, from whichit Will be evident that the .weightof the trough 2,3 is supported by. the water. pan

=15, and that the trough is Vheld in vertical posi'- 'tion by the. guides-22 onthe brackets' 19, and that thev trough may be removed from the pan by lifting it vertically.

' ly adjustable sleeve member 40 which isadapted- 'the liquid in the-troughv 23.

trough immdiatelybelow this overflow 'is an .f Fory the. purpose of supplying liquid to this trough 23. the right wall 26'thereoi is provided.

with aninlet opening 30.. A preferably flexible delivery conduit31 is connected with this inlet opening, and liquid. is'supplied to this conduit fro'mthe gear. driven .pump` 32 all asd clearly shown,in Figure .1;

ablyprotectedby ascreen;y 'A pressure regulating vby-pass valve 35 has its inletfe'nd. connected with the delivery conduit Blandi'ts outlet con@ nected with a: 'by-pass :conduit 36.1which dis-Y charges into. the reservoirr34. y vThe upper edge ofthe left wall 27. of. the'trough 2-3 is of 'slightly less height than theotherwalls' of.y thisA trough, as.' clearly shown lat v37 .in 'Figure 'f `12,:this lowered edge serving as angoverflowffor Secured lto Lithe overowcup member 38' which isa'dapted-to catchl the liquid which ows over the topfof the Wall 271 at 37"and deflect tso that itrun's vdown-: wardly along thel leftend ofthe front wall24 intol Vthe'v pan or reservoir 15in' clear View of the operator `as yshown in lFigure 3.. As` shown in1`Figures l, 3 `a`nd4',ithe'par1 15 is provided' with an outlet 39.. outlet is provided'with averticaltoiregulate the lei/el of the liquid in' thepan.

Any liquid above. this level will! pass overi..the.lip

of. the-sleeve member 40 into the overowi'conl-- duit 41 whence it passesvr intoA the 'storage'.y tank .34Y

*This pump '.issupplied with liquid through the suction conduit 33 the in-.y let'end .of thisconduitebeing.submerged in.: al liquidfstorage tanK34, this inlet being. v.prefer.

previously Areferred to, all as clearly shownin Figurel.

, References to Figures 1 and 7 to 18 inclusive, Willv disclose an anchoring plate 42 mounted on the rear wall of the trough 23 extending for sube s'tantially the, full length of the rear wall; The

upper end'ol the frontwall `is formed with a hori- VZontally projecting shelf 43 preferably formed by attaching an .angle tothe front'wall 24. Removably mounted on this horizontal shelf are a plurality of detent guide .plates 44 which are secured to this shelf by screws 45. The greater portion of Athese detent guide plates are vertically `above the horizontal shelf .43, as clearly vshown irl-Figures 10 and 11; however, a guide lip 46 and a de- `tent tooth 47 projectinwardly toward the center of the trough for a purpose to be hereinafter.

pointed out'.- l -f y Mountedl for insertion vertically into the -trough 23 are a plurality' of spring lingers 48 formed with two legs 49 and 50.

provided with a notch or out out portion 52 andV with a series of teeth- 53. `.The lower end"54o f the spring finger is preferablycurved and of a form simulating the curved bottom- 28 Vof the trough 23. 4 is provided with one or more perforations 55. The upper end `of the leg 49 is formed with a curved lip 56 forming a smooth upper surface andv adaptthe trough 23.

Figures 16,`17-and 18 are detached views of a novel siphon'capillary wick element which is designated in its entirety byr the numeral 5'7, and which is providedvforco-operation with the spring inger'flS and with the trough 23, for the purpose of transferring water inthe desired-amounts from ed to Yt'over the'upper end of the rear'wall 250i?V the'trough to the'water roller 13. The waterl conducting element consists of a strip of molleton indicated at 58 andtapered at one end as clearlyshown at 5.9. AV portion of` this tapered end isy enclosed in, and" secured to, a holding pocket 60 forming apart vof a thinflexible metallic backing element 1611." It should be here' noted V'that this metallic Vbacking element-for the wick is lshown considerably heavier in theadrawings, for the purpose of clearness,l than the 'element which I use in practice,l the Y'elernent actually used preferably consisting of a `strip of thin brass three thousands of 'an'i'nch in gthic'kness.Y Attached to the, lower endl of the holding pocket 60 as shown in` Figures Reference to Figures 2, 3,15V and'12 will disclose the fact'that a relatively large IThis lower end 540i the spring fingerl 16,"17 vand 18 is oneend of a'relatively li'gh'tcoil.V

tension springek62, the` Vother end rof which 'is adaptedtobe rthreaded through the perforations 5K5, in the lower end of the spring finger 48. The'.Y

metallic backing element 61 is further provided with a perforation 63-near its upper end and with twol relatively smaller p erforations 64asgshown in Figure 16. Theperforation `63 is used for attachf ing the upper end of the metallic'backing member ,to the anchoring plate 42 by means of screwsY 65. which engagezthreaded openings 6,6-'in this anchoringn plate.v Staples 67 are passed throughr the molleton 58 and..throughtheperforationsfi the backing element; atthis pointi y f Y The spring `.lingers 48|and vSiphon capillary wick elements 57 are assembled -in the trough as clearly shown in Figures Tand '12. from which it will be evident that the outer end 58aof the Wichor molleton 58 rests upon'substantiallythe top of the Water roller 13, and that the inner end 'of this Wick element is.' yielding'ly 'held immersed in the liquid in the trough. 1t Will be understood that the detent guide plates 44l on the horizontal shelf 43 andthe threaded openingsin the anchoring plate 421m`ust`be equally spaced and mustA each be in the proper opposed'position to permit aligned mountingof the spring 'ngers `48 andy Siphon, capillary Wick elements 57 in the trough 23. t

Functioning of Siphon capillary wick element Y Thefunctioning of one of the'siphon capillary Wick elements 57 will vnow be described, and can best be understood'by reference to Figures '7 to l2 inclusive.v Figure v7 illustrates the position of the Wick element 57 in 'which that portionof the molleton locatedinteriorly of the trough 23 "is in order to removably connect the molletonl and immersed inthe liquid" to the maximum depth.

When the molleton isi in this position water will be absorbed-l by the immersed portion of the molleton 58Xlr (Figures 7 and 12)` and rv'vill be drawn upwardly by capillary attractionto'that portion 'il ofthe` Wick element restingv onthe curved lip 56 of the spring Aiinger 48 and' will thence -be drawn'd'ownwardly by a combination of capillaryr and Siphon action until 'it reaches the Water roller 13 upon which the'water Will be deposited. A1in the position of the parts illustrated in Figure '1,l the molleton Will transferthe maximum amount of Water from the trough 23 to the Water roller 13. When the spring nger 48 is raised in the trough, the curved lip 56 forcesthe elevated sectionor high lpoint v'Il ofv the Wick elementupwardly, which draws'the tapered ,end 59 upwardly, due to the fact that 'the other end of the Wick is xed to the anchor plate 42. Thus the 'tapered end 59 of the molleton is raisedin the Water'and, after a suflicient vertical movement of, Vthe'spring finger, may be only partly immersed in the Water in the trough 23, as shown by the positionfof this molleton at I59x (Figuresi rand 12)". When theA molleton is in this position'it will be evident, first.;

' that a smaller portion of the'molleton'is immersed in the liquid and second' that thev cross sectional area of the molleton Which is capable of absorbing Water 'from the surface of' the liquid and trans'- ferring it upwardly, 'is ysubstantially reduced due to the tapered end ofthe'molleton 58, and third,

that the liquid musttravel a considerably greater distance in order to travel to the high point'Il' of the Wick onthe bead' 5670i the spring finger.

All of these eatures'will tend to reduce the flow of liquid in the molleton and the amount of 'reduction in the liquid transferred from thetrough to theV Water roller will varyyvith the variation in the depthI of the immersion' of the tapered end of the molleton in the liquidof the trough. When` it is desir'ed'to, still, further 'reduce' thefflow of liquid the spring 'lingerl '45 may bestill further raised in the 4trough until the holding pocket 60 only is immersed inthe Water as' shown at YA601? (Figure l2); This holding pocket, beingrformedv of non-absorbent material, restrictslth'e passage of the liquid Yto the molleton; this arrangement permitting theiiovv of liquid tobe reduced to one or ttvo drops per minute when the holdingpocket is very slightly immersedin the liquidi I It will A' further be understood `that'if thespringiinger 1s still further I "aisedfsov asf to"4 entirely remove the wicky andl holding, pompt-fromme liquid the trough as shownv at qy'jfFigures 9 and 12)' for instance, that ,no liquid Will'ii'votv tothe molleton a'ndfv no liquid Willrbeftrans'ferred tothe WaterA rollerlB,v j' f f 'H fj i' The Sl'iiiiig'iiiigr i'ieiidily daiifb 'iiideiie'd iii the trough 23 by `manually pressing* thegrip 51 andbead 56 towardf each other',V whereupon the: spring ngerm'a'y'bel vertically 4moved'in the trough, this'vertic'al movementfbeing limited only by the engagement of the guideilip 46 With'the, upper and' lower edges fof the notchor cut out portionv52' onthleg '49. jTlie guidelips on 'two adjacent dete'nt guide plates `Will"4 serve to space and vertically guide the' intermediate spring fingers. The elasticity of th'egfspring Vringer will honil the ieg 5p between the guide nps is and-will also press thetooth *portion 53 'against the deten't tooth y47 the detentl guide "plate44g andthe engagement o f the 'detent tooth 47 with any one. ofvthe teeth k51.3"vvi114 holdthe spring Liingerll 45 in", any desired position vertically i th troughI which wilLin' tlirmhold thewiiikleiiieiii iii its adjusted' position. l When'it isV desired to readjust'the ilvick elementupwar'dly'or downwardly in the trough it' is 'only' necessary to press the grip '51` of the springv finger so thatithe leg'50,Willirrove'slightlyavvay" fromgthe detentteethii'land move thenng'erto the desired position" and release 'it', wheruri0ii` the elasticity inthe iinger will'hold onego itsI teeth 53 in jengagementwithlthe detenttooth 4*?.ffItY will be"evi`dent that the tension `ofthe spring 62y will keep the wickelement'' taut,"for any posil tionof the spring 1inger48 and that the flexible metallic backing-'element' l'lwill prevent the stretchingv ofithemolleton 5 8, and will not interloo fere with theflexing of the Wick element around the curved lip ,56. y l p Y Oz'icrationl` ofv complete apparatus i The moisture circulation andfsup'plysystem can best be understood byreference to Figures 1, 3,. 4 and 7 andoperates as follows.: AWater or a suitable liquid solutionlis' poured into lthe liquid `storage tank 34. Y This ,liquid is suckedfromthis `tank through the suction pipe'33 by the pumpv32 Which,` in turn, delivers thek liquid through' the delivery conduit 31 into the 'trough 23 through .the inlet opening 3 0. When this trough", hasbeen filled'up tothe level or the ltopljof the left` endwall27l, the liquid4 overfiows .through thepverflowf cup member 38 .into the panv or, reservoir 15. A: Any

liquid which rises in the pan above the level of the" top ofthe sleevememberv 40, overflows` through the outlet.' 39' into theove'fnow. conduit r41 .miT

resistance to the' passage I of liquid is s mallraf relatively large proportion of the liquid Willtravel through this'byepass and a relatively smaller portionwill beA delivered 'tothe trough 23, and con-- verselygv It vifi/ill be understood that a'suflicient'- amount of' water 'is-constantly fed tothe-trough' 23 to. maintain the Vliquid level'vvith the top v3'7' of the wall 27 and preferably so' that va slightover-'2 now Willbe maintained over the top 37S I Referring now to fthe' transferof Water to the plate, the periphery' off-the water' roller 13,"being-. partially immersed in-the ='li'quid in the panv 15,-1-

` j clearly marked.

wi-ll .absorb oncollect; moisture'v by adhesion -to its surface.- This moisture is .carried upwardly as indicated bythe arrow fX shown in F'igure 'Hand thence downwardly indicated by the arrow Y, whence .it periodicallytransferred tothe ductor roller l2 and is nally transferred to the. pla-tev 8 through the intermediate roller 11V 'and dampening rollers' 10,as hereinbefore de.-k scribed. Moisture thus deliveredvybythez.water roller .tothe plate in accordance .'Withmy iriven? tio-n, is intended to bethe minimum of moisture required, for .uniform distributionQto 'the' plate; The amount of` moisture absorbedfor collected by the 'periphery .oflthe roller 1 3)..Willdepend upon the speed -of rotationand upon'the'gdeptli of immersion o'f'the periphery ofthero'llerlin this liquid. Apparatus is .providedin-V standard. presses for controlling Vthe speed of 'rotatie-mici the roller and I have providedv means for regu?. latingthedepth of immersion ofthe rollerby theprovision of .the adjustable outlet sleeve vlmerrie ber 40 on .-thefoutlet 39, as shown in .Figure 5.`

VT-herange of regulation possible Vwith't hl s`device is froma very slight immersion .to an immersion amounting' to nearly one thirdy of the'p'eriphery of the'roller, .thusp'royiding for ample .range for the minimum or nominal amountof uniformly. distributed moisture *supplied to thefplate,

As explained above,` it is found in practice, that some parts of the printing plate require more water vthan other parts. .For purposesjofexplanation thejdifferent 'typesiof areas on the sur-J face of the'piate a .have'ben inustratedinrig-j ures3, 5 and. by .different types Iof shading, for.V

instance, they two portions or 1 zones .8% ywhich require a relatively veryheayyamountof are shown in black. Between ,these Zones' 8? is'v a portion or zone .8b Awhich'requires.relatively somewhatless ink than the portionsL andwh'ich for purposes of comparison is indicated by nely spaced criss cross shading. Adjacentv to, and

outwardly from the zones 8a .are shown portions or YZones .8?. which require/relatively .very little,

ink ,and .which for purposes of comparison are indicated by lightopen 'criss cross shadingzQAt' V8@ .are shownlportions 4of the .plate which require no ink at all and which .are shown blank. vPorlf tions of the platecylinderwhich arenot coveredi by the plate are *indicatedat .4,

.l .It Will'be understood that generallyispealgingf the amount of moisture which yit is necessiryYtoy supply t0 a particular oortionoflthe plate willI vary with the increase in the amount. 0f. .iulstakenl by said portion of the plate and, in fact,the va-. nation will .be substantially .in proportion: to the'. relative amounts 0f kink used. It sheuldlalso .bef understood thatthe distribution of thev moisture in any zone, .be it wide ornarrow, must b'euni-V form, as .the presence of any .lackA in .uniformity in moisture distribution Willreslllt indefctive'.. Vvvlk.' It is alsoressential .tenute-that the mois-T ture must b e .closely .confned'w'ithin theirzonesf'in which it .is .required for'the best results land that.

the 4borders of these 'zonesarel frequently.. very i For thoseplates, .or ose portions-ofthe platesz where "the, moisture .distribution `on" the. plate 8 effected by the dampening apparatus with the water transferred by the water roller 13 from water roller. j y

- Where no additional Water' .is required bythe printing pl-etethefsiphoni .capillary Wick .elerrientsi 5.7 'are adjusted te the position .shown -le- .ure 9.e lnthisuesitienfthe meinten 58....hevins all portions thereoi-locatedabove the surfaceoi theyvater in the trough 23,1 will deliver no water tothelwater roller 13,l and,rin riding Aon the roller.k 13 will assist in spreadingthe water uniformly overl-.the surface. i .l n i v For v-those portions of the plate whichreguire additional water, yeither because of the inability of.4 the dampening system to supply a uniformlydistributed coating of liquid to the plate .or bef-- cause of the variation in the requirements of the different portions of the plate, the operatoria/ill determine the. position on the water roller 113 which corresponds with the position on the plate at which .additional water'should be supplied.` It it sometimes diilicult to correctly selectthezplace on the water roller at which this .additional water should-'"be supplied, due largely to the ydistance of .the printing-plate from the water-roller. Q 'Iograssist .the operator in `selecting exactly the correct. place forthis additional water a 4bar 69 ismounted on the rear of the machine adjacent to the jprinting plate.l lAttached to, Aor mounted upon this bar, Uin any desired `manner are apluraljityof indices or numerals T10. These numerals are` preferably equally .spacedand this spacing is identical with the spacing of the spring viingers i8 inthe trough 23. Indices or numerals v.68 are further. stamped or otherwiseV suitably marked onthevspringv fingers 48 as clearly shown in liigures 3 .and 15 .and,`in fact, eachnumeral `onthe spring fingers `i8 isexactly in line longitudinally With. the corresponding number `on the bar 69. It will accordingly be evident that if the op# erator notes, for instance, thatv additional water is required at the position on the plate indicated by numerals 13 to 18 inclusive. on the bar 69, that will be uniformly. spread. throughout the entire! Width of the molleton or distributing element 58 but..that it .will notl spread beyond -th-is width.`

The rol1er13 will accordingly receive auniformly distributed coating ory zone of liquid supplied to it by-the depending end ofthe molleton riding on lthe roller.v It'should also be pointed out that this" liquid is. .supplied to theroller 13 at a point .sub-

stantially'at the top ofits periphery andin such, position that the liquid will not return by gravity` down .the upwardly travelling portion of the periphery vof the roller, and .that all of this supple mental'. liquid. will thus be carrieddownwardly' along .theportion Y. .(Fig'ure' '7) .of the periphery ofltne'roller fortransier tothe .dampening rollers' and plate .8. In'this manner I supplyasubstanf. tiallyluniformly .distributed normal or minimumo f moisturel to the printing plate and supplement this by additional moisture when and where re.'

quired anairi "uniformly .distributed condition' where applied'. In .practice a Slight amount'of space `is provided between adjacent Wicks 58 Aso that liquid'rfrom` one wick will not to the adjacent Wicklby contact.

. Figure 2 illustrates the variations inthe'posiloftiiese wicks remain Afixed with relation toth@ rellene.nguref.illustrates me. position pf;

tions'occupied by the' upper-points of the siphon capillarywick elements while the `discharge ends' wick element takes place.

the springngers 48 to produce the proper feeding positions of the wick elements 574 to satisfy the requirements presupposed forthe printing plate and represented'by shaded areasin Figure 3*; I have found as a result-of many experiments that the flow of liquid inv molletonl is `continuous and flows at an accuratelyuniforrn rate for along period of time, providing" that the waterdevel and other conditions remain" substantially uniform.V I have further found that the presence of lint, or other iine particlesin the water do not substantially interfere with the uniform func'- tioning of the Siphon capillary yaction inr the molleton. f i' One of the advantages of this invention is-its capacity for keepng'the dampening rollers clean and free from dirt, grease and ink. 'In someinstances I have even found that rollers which were partly coated with ink collected from 'the' platel due to an insufficient supply of moisture, have become cleaned of all ink and grease after my :invention was applied. This result is d ue 'tothe maintenance of proper moisture distribution.` j

While it isa fact that the covered rollers of standard `da-mp'ening devices and particularly Water' rollers', must frequently' be re-covered o r replaced, I have found that these rollers canbe maintained in service for a comparatively :long period of time without becoming defective when my improved device is co-operatively associated therewith.

The purpose of the modification in the Wick element 5'7a shown in Figures 19 and 20 will now be explained. As is well known to operators of lithographie printing presses, it is very essential that 'nothing except the paper be permitted'to pass betweenthe different rollers and cylinders and that any article caught between the rollers or cylinders causes serious damage. The wick ele-4 ments are secured against dislodgment by the screws in the anchoring plate 42 and by the' connection oi" the spring element 62 to the bottom 54 of the spring finger 48, which is, in turn, locked in the trough 23. In the event that the `wick ele'-v ments accidentally become disengaged from the ringer 48 and from'the anchoring vplate '42, IV provide a further means for holding the wick ele-` ment to the spring finger. This means consists of a T shaped head'r'l2 secured in any desired manner to the leg 49 of the spring finger :4S-and formed with a stem '72a and, when this metallic backing element is sprung and caused to slip over the head 72 the slot '73 has sliding engagement with the stem '72a and will not become detached therefrom. The Slot 73 is of sufficient length to permit the free movement ofv the wickelement, over the curved lip 56, for the desiredV range or" adjustment of the wick. If, for any reason, the connection between the wick element'la and the spring 62 or the connection between the spring 62 and the ringer 48 becomes disengaged-the wick element 5'7a slides vertically on the T head '72 until the bottom "I3a of the slot '73 abuts the head '72 whereupon no further movement of the This Wick element is thus prevented from falling and becoming 'entangled in any of the working parts ofthe press'- located therebeneath. f Thisr safetyfeature is operative whether or notthe wick element maintains its connection to the anchoring platef42.

Figures 21 and 22 illustrate an early modified form of this invention, being areproductionvof',

Figures 10 and 11 of my Patent No. 1,812,720, with which the present application was co-pending in the Patent Oiiice. Referring to these iigures, the

auxiliary reservoir or trough'-isindicatdfat 74,- this trough being mounted on' rods -75` which'iare in turn supported on the"pre `s's. troug'hfis provided'with an overiiow '76 andadrain'pipe 77; This trough is provided Withfa"metallic'liningfl which extends over one Wall of said troughlforming a curved lip 79. Gui-ded uponthis'lip '79 and supported on the bottom wall ofthe reservoir'74` is a Siphon-capillary wick element indicated in-its entirety :at 80.- This'siphon capillary Wick element consists of` a bifurcatedfngerl formed with a' grip portion` 82. i' Av strip of molleton 83 is attached tothe' nger `81'preferably'by stitching substantiallyinear fthe bottom ofi the'two legs rof the iinger81 as shown at 84 and- 85. *The length of the molleton'between the two Astitched portions is so selectedv that the stitched portion84 vvill'sub` stantially rest on thefbottor'nV of the f're'servoir"74j when the upper portion of the Irnoll'etonfloos'elyI rests on the curved lip 79. An extension 8'7de'- pending below the stitched portion rests "freely onthe water roller 13'.' J *ff l It will be evident-that the Siphon capillary Wick,` element illustrated -in Figures 21 and 22 will operi atesubstantially inthe same manner as thefco'rrespending elements in- Figures 1 t'o 201inc'1usiv'e; and will transfer liquid from the trough directlylfto the water'rollerby combined capillaryan'd Siphon action;y It will be apparentgfhoweven l"thati the Wick 80. is notv capable-oi therefined adjustment' for regulation of feed possessed by the wick elements 5'7.Y It isadjustable only to the extent that the wick element may beheld in a raised :posi-2 non ,by friction against ihe'iip'vg. v`on' the other hand the wick element 80 is portable and maybe transferred v-rom one' point' along the length ofv the roller to any other-desired point, and aplu'ral-y ity of these Wick elements SOordinarilysuflicetof add liquid'to all' desired portions of the roller 1-3,

and thus to the printing: plate, unlessa very iinev graduation of moisture distribution is required.v Oneiof the important novel features, of-v this invention, is .the means for regulation of the water absorbing capacity of. the immersed portion: of the wick; -While, in they forms of this invention described above, the regulationfis effectedby moving-the immersed portion of'the Wick .vertically with relation to the surface of the waterby a slid-` ing action, this*y invention comprehends: 1 various other methods of producing'thisregulatiom -for instance, lthe movement Y of vthe immersed portionmight be controlled by a pivotal actionvand'thev immersed portion might follow a curved or angu'f:

lar path with relation to thesurfac'e of the liquid.

i In the present disclosurethenovel .feedi'r'ig-de'- Viceis illustrated 'and-described as-.the feeding of' water tozthe usual water 'roller,-.which -is one-ele#I ment of a water distributingapparatus adapted'to transfer water to the printing plate onthe litho-` graphic press. I desire 'to point out that this novel feeding device is not restricted to operative asso-f ciation .with the water roller but may be`mounted tofeed waterto any one ofthe rollers in thev usual dampening apparatus,` or this'de'vice may be mounted to feediiquidto anyother type of liquid distributing apparatus or" element, such as abelt or apronffor'instanc'e, orupon any other mecha# nism adapted to transferzliiud'tothe plate withoutdepa'rtin'g from the scope' and spirit of myj invention.. In a broader aspect this novel feeding device may be mounted-to- 'feedl-iquid' directly upon the lprinting plate,which may,or may'not have beenpre-moistened byariyotherl means for",

supplying liquidzfif Many'V other modiiications of this-invention and:

i305: being wrapped in a non-absorbent member.

Y through which vthe liquidis lifted by capillarity.

Ytion of. its. length.

its application willnaturally occur to those skilled ingt'he artand the present disclosures should therefore be considered as typical only, and I desire notto be li ited to the exact constructions show-n and described. What Iclaim is: v-

1. A wick element for use in a liquid lfeeding device comprising an -absorbent member and a relatively non-absorbent flexible member, said members being attached one to the other.

Avvick element jfor use in a liquid feeding device andadaptedqto conduct liquid by capillarity,.co mprising `an extensible member and a relatively non-extensibleV flexible member, said members being attached one to the other.

3. A wick element for use in a liquid feeding device comprising a fibrous extensible member andV a metallic flexible member, said members being .attached one to theother in substantially parallel relation.

, 4. rA wick element for use in a liquid Afeeding device comprising an absorbent member-and a relatively,v non-absorbent member; said members being attached one to the other in substantially parallel relation and said absorbent member beingfformed with a' portion tapered in the direc- .5 In a liquid feeding appliance, a reservoir of liquid, an absorbent element -mounted for immersion insaid liquid, a portion of lsaid element 5, Inv a liquid feeding appliance, a reservoir of liquid-a plurality of absorbent elements mounted -for immersion in said liquid, a portion of each of said elements being formed with a gradually reduced cross sectional area in the direction of its immersion, each of said elements being provided with means for'varying the depth of im` mersion of said portion, whereby the immersion of said portion of each ofthe elements may be varied independently.

7. In a liquid feeding appliance, a reservoir of liquid,an absorbent element mounted for immersion in said liquid, a portion of said element e being formedgwith a gradually Vreduced cross sectional area inA thevdirection of its immersion, said Portion being partially enveloped by a non-ab- SQlbent-member. f v

"#3 Ina l-luid'feedng appliance, a reservoir of liquid, an absorbent element mounted for imr vmersion :in said liquid, and means adapted to yieldingly hold saidfelement in said immersed position. l

9;- Ina liquid dispensing apparatus, av reservoir offliquid and aplurality ofV capillary elements 'each having one end immersed in said liquid and adapted to'conduct liquid from said reservoir`,and individual means each adapted to vary the capacity of one of the said immersed ends for absorbing-liquid, independently of every other immersed (indy. Y

j 10. InY aliquid feeding apparatus, a reservoir ofliquid, an element adapted to lift liquid vby capillarity from said reservoir and feed said liquid to a point exteriorly of said reservoir and 11..In a liquid feeding apparatus, a reservoir of liquid and an absorbent element in the formv of a siphon having two legs and a connecting top vsection adapted to feed liquid from said reservoir,'o ne leg ofl said element being adapted .to absorb. liquid and the other leg of said element being adapted to deliver said liquid and means Iadaptedtoraise the top section of said element while one of said vlegs remains substantiallystationary. s

12. -In a liquid feeding apparatus, a'reservoir of liquid, an absorbent element comprisinggtwo depending legs joined by an elevated section,l one of said legs being adapted to conductliquid from thesurfacev of said liquid to said elevated section and means adapted to vary the length of said conducting leg. l gV f 13. `In a liquid feeding apparatus in combina-` tion, a reservoir of liquid, a siphon having -a de livery end and anv intake end, said deliveryl end being fixed relativelyv to said reservoir and said intake end being adjustable relatively to said reservoir, and means for maintaining the levelof the liquid in the reservoirv constant. j Y

14. In a liquid'feeding apparatus, areservoir of liquid provided with a Wall, an absorbent element extending over said Wall and adapted lto conduct liquid from said reservoir, and vertically slidablemeans adapted to raise one end of said element while the other end r mains substantially stationary. v

.15. In a Vliquid feeding apparatus, areservoir of liquid provided with a wall and a plurality of ab;-

sorbent elements-each adapted for partial immer@A sion in said liquid and adapted to siphon liquidover said Wall, said elements being relatively narrow and spaced from each other, the depth of the immersion of each of said elements in the liquid` being independently adjustable, whereby. the; amount-of liquid siphoned by each of said elementsis individually controllable. l Y

16. In a liquid feeding apparatus, a reservoir provided With 'a Wall, and an absorbent elementY having one end located interiorly of said Wall and sorbent elements each having one portion depending exteriorly of said Wall and having another portion depending interiorly of said Wall, said interior portions adapted to conduct liquid by capillarity, andra plurality of individually adjustableA means along which the liquid is conducted by capillarity.

18. In a liquid feeding apparatus a .reservoir provided Av vith a wall, and an absorbent element extending from the linterior of said reservoir toa point exteriorly of said reservoirythe exterior end of said element being fixed-relatively to Athe reservoir and the interior end 'being vertically adjustableV within said reservoir and means.k adapted to hold said Vadjustable end in its ad.-r`

justed position.r

19. In a liquid dispensing apparatus a resere voir-.provided with a Wall, andan absorbent elementhaving one end located interiorly of said wall and the other end located exteriorly of said wall. the interior end of said element being im.-

mersed in said liquid and the exterior end being' fixed relatively to said reservoir, and means adapted to maintain tension on said element.

20. In a liquid dispensing vapparatus a reservoir provided with a Wall, andv a Wick Yeleme'nt'extending over said Wall and adapted to conduct liquid from said reservoir, and provided with elastic means tending to yieldingly hold one end of said Wick element immersed in sadliquid,

21. Ina liquid dispensing apparatus a reser-` adapted, each independently of every, other means, to vary the length of the portiony lil() lei() voir provided With a Wall, and a Wick element extending over said Wall and adapted to conduct liquid from said reservoir, and provided with elastic means tending to yieldingly hold one end of said vvick element immersed in said liquid, and mechanism adapted to raise a portion of said wick element against the tendency of said elastic means.

22. In a liquid feeding apparatus, a reservoir of liquid provided with a Wall, and a plurality of absorbent elements adapted for partial immersion in said liquid and adapted to siphon liquid over said Wall, each element being provided with an individual mechanism adapted to adjust the depth of the immersion ci said element in the liquid, the portion of said element adapted for immersion gradually varying in cross-sectional area.

23. In a liquid dispensing apparatus, a reservoir of liquid, a plurality of wick elements adapted for immersion in said liquid, a plurality of members each independently vertically adjustable with relation to said liquid, and means associated with each of said members adapted to adjust the depth of immersion of one of said wicks.

24. In a dispensing apparatus, a reservoir of liquid, a member vertically slidably mounted in said reservoir, and an absorbent element adapted to conduct liquid from said reservoir, said member being adapted to control the liquid conducting capacity of said absorbent element.

25. In a liquid tee-ding device, a reservoir oi liquid, a liquid distributing member, a plurality of Wicks depending from said reservoir and adapted to transfer liquid from said reservoir to said member, and individual means adapted to independently vary the amount oi liquid trans" ferred by each of said Wicks, said Wicks being spaced one from the other whereby liquid transferred by each wick is prevented from passing to the next adjacent Wick.

26. In a dampening device for lithographie presses or the like, a reservoir of liquid, a roller, and an absorbent element adapted to transfer liquid from said reservoir directly to said roller, means ior maintaining said element taut and means for preventing the stretching of said element.

27. In a dampening device for lithographie presses or the like, a reservoir of liquid, a member adapted to receive liquid, and a plurality of spaced liquid absorbent elements adapted to transfer liquid, each independently or the other, from said reservoir directly to said receiving member, said elements each having an absorbing end and a delivering end, the delivering ends of said elements being fixed relatively to said member and the absorbing ends of said elements being movably mounted with relation to said member, and individual means adapted to move the absorbing end of each of said elements independently.

28. A liquid feeding device adapted to supply liquid to a lithographie plate, comprising a reservoir of liquid, a plurality of Wick elements adapted to absorb liquid and mounted cross-Wise of said plate, said Wick elements being spaced from each other and each Wiek'element being adapted to feed liquid from said reservoir, and individual means adapted to vary the amount of liquid fed by each element, without aiecting the amount o liquid fed by any other element.

29. In a dampening device for a lithographie press or the like, a reservoir oi liquid, a liquid transferring member, and a plurality of elements adapted to absorb liquid, one end of each of said elements beingY immersed in said reservoir and the other end being in contact with said member, said elements being spaced from each other in a direction transversely of the press, and individual means adapted to vary the amount of liquid absorbed by each of said elements.

30. In a dampening device for lithographie presses or the like, a reservoir of liquid, a liquid distributing member, and a plurality of spaced Siphon elements, having a liquid raising leg and a. liquid lowering leg, each element being adapted independently to transfer liquid from the reservoir to themember, and means adapted to vary the height of the liquid raising leg.

3l. In a dampening presses or the like, a reservoir of liquid, a plurality of liquid distributing rollers, a plurality of spaced absorbent elements adapted to have one end immersed in said liquid and each adapted to individually and'eontinuously'eonduct liquid to one of said distributing rollers, and means adapted to selectively interrupt the flow of liquid through one of said elements.

32. In a dampening device for lithographie presses or the like, a reservoir of liquid, means for maintaining the level of liquid constant, a plurality of liquid distributing rollers, a plurality of wick elements adapted to have one end immersed in said liquid and each forming an individual passage for liquid trom said reservoir to one of said rollers, and a plurality of individual means each adapted to vary the depth of immersion of one of said Wick elements.

33. In a dampening device, a reservoir of liquid, a roller partially immersed in said liquid, an auxiliary reservoir of liquid and a siphon Wick element having one leg partially immersed in said auxiliary reservoir and its other leg in Contact with said roller.

34. In a dampening device for lithographie presses or the like, a liquid distributing member, means adapted to substantially uniformly coat said member with liquid, a reservoir of liquid and a plurality of Siphon elements each adapted independently to transfer liquid from said reservoirA to said coated member, and individual means adapted to control the amount of liquid transferred by each of said siphon elements.

35. In a dampening device, a reservoir of liquid, a roller partially immersed in said liquid, a reservoir of supplementary liquid, and a Siphon Wick element having one leg partially immersed below the surface of said supplementary liquid and itsV other leg in contact with said roller, and means adapted to vary the distance from the surface 0f said supplementary liquid to said roller, measured along said siphon.

36. In a dampening device, a reservoir of liquid, a roller partially immersed in said liquid, an auxiliary reservoir of liquid and a siphon Wick element having one leg partially immersed in',v

said auxiliary reservoir and its other leg in contact with said roller and adapted to deposit liquid from said auxiliary reservoir upon said roller, and means for controlling the amount of liquid deposited by said element.

JOSEPH SCI-IULTZ. 

